So much so, that when Denis Napthine replaced Mr Baillieu as Liberal Premier in 2013, and then decided to take a mission to China the year after, it was suggested — strongly — that he take Ms Liu with him.

Why? Because if he didn't, her status in the Chinese community would be diminished and so would her worth to the Liberal coffers.

Mr Napthine did take Ms Liu to China on that trip. But Liberals say she took a less prominent role than she took on trips to China with Mr Baillieu.

But Ms Liu has been a significant force inside the Victorian Liberal Party for 15 years, whether the old-timers knew it or not.

Indeed, she advertised her importance to the Liberals in her application to become candidate for the electorate of Chisholm at the 2019 federal election.

"I have raised over $1 million for the party by organising events both large and small, centrally for the party as well as locally for MPs and candidates," Ms Liu wrote in her Liberal application for endorsement.

She was the One Million Dollar Woman, and reminding the party of it, after two failed bids to become a state parliamentarian.

"They [Labor] have preselected a Chinese-Australian candidate, Jennifer Yang, who has significant political experience and polled strongly to finish second out of 18 candidates in Melbourne Lord Mayor by-election," Ms Liu told preselectors.

"Backed by Labor funds and pork-barrelling, and taking advantage of the fact that many Chinese-Australians are quite unfamiliar with Australian politics, she represents a serious threat.

"If our Labor opponent is able to take Chisholm and build up a base of support among its Chinese community, I believe it would not only make Chisholm more difficult to win back in the future, but would also affect our prospect in neighbouring seats."

Taking on a Labor challenger

Ms Liu weaponised the fact she was Chinese and the changing nature of the Chisholm electorate. She knew the susceptibilities of the Liberal Party and expertly seized the opportunity.

"Nearly 30 per cent of families in Chisholm speak Mandarin or Cantonese at home. Since I can speak fluent English, Mandarin or Cantonese, I will make the most of my language to be an effective voice for the Liberal Party in the Chinese community in Chisholm," she told preselectors.

Did Ms Liu expect to win? Of course, she did. Gladys always believes in Gladys. It's her gift. It drives her.

But did the Liberals believe Ms Liu might win Chisholm should she contest the 2019 federal election?

Now that's a trickier question.

Winning an unlikely election

Opportunity always lies in misfortune. And the Liberals believed fortune lay with Labor last year, after the leadership catastrophe. Preselecting Ms Liu had a big upside. She'd bring in buckets of cash.

But did the Liberals think she'd win Chisholm?

No. The damage done in the Liberals' take-down of Malcolm Turnbull was considerable in Chisholm where Mr Turnbull was popular. The defection of Julia Banks, the Liberal incumbent, had made Chisholm an assumed Labor gain in the federal election.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was going to be the next prime minister, so in defeat why not go down with your pockets full of money, care of Ms Liu's exceptional contacts?